Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/386

 310 NORTH-WEST APRICA. detachment ; lastly, in 1882, its annexation was formally proclaimed, a fort erected above Gliardaya receiving the small garrison which was here stationed to represent the new Government. Th^ Mzabites. Although of undoubted Berber descent, and speaking the language of the Kabyles and Tuaregs, the Mzabites are allied in dogma and rites with the AVahabites of Arabia. Like these, they trace the origin of their sect to the teachings of Abd-Allah ben Ibadh, who flourished towards the close of the seventh century. The Ibadhite doctrines were diffused throughout Oman and other parts of Arabia, and thence reached Irak, Khorassan, Turkestan, and India ; but they became extinct everywhere in Asia, except in the Arabian peninsula, where they were revived under a new form by the modern reformer, Wahab. In Africa the Ibadhite propaganda produced more lasting results, but only amongst the Berbers, the Nefusa highlanders in Tripolitana, the Tunisian Jarabas, and the Beni-Mzab of Algeria. Fundamentally the Ibadhite teachings represent an older religious evolution than those of the other Mohammedan sects, and in opposition to them allows some scope for the action of free will. Frequently persecuted for their theories and practices, the Mzabites have become " the most reticent of men," so that it is difficult to obtain from them any information regarding their doctrines. By dint of much perseverance and tact, M. Masqueray has, nevertheless, succeeded in getting possession of all their religious writings and historic records, and many of these valuable Arab manuscripts have already been published. Oi)pressed by the true believers, the Mzabites have been often compelled to shift from place to place. Forming a branch of the Zenata Berbers, they had founded Tiaret on the upland plateau, about the middle of the eighth century, and for nearly two hundred jears they held their ground in this region of northern ^lauritania. Vanquished by the Sanhcjas, they were thence driven to take refuge in the Sahara, whore they occupied the Ziban,'Wed Righ, andSuf districts, sinking wells and with patient industry bringing much land under cultivation. But they were again compelled to quit their new homes, and withdraw to the cirques and higher mountain gorges about the headstreams of the Maj^a. With every exodus their numbers were reduced, but the survivors became banded all the more closely together, displaying an ever-increasing zeal in the obs'M'vance of their religious practices and national usages. Their to/bas, at once judges, priests, and censors of the public morals, armed also with the powers of absolution, purification, and anathema, constitute a true priesthood, in which Masqueray recognises the hierarchy of the Roman Church — possibly a remnant of the religion professed by the Berbers before the spread of Islam. But beneath this Christian element traces are said to be detected of a still older worship, that of the goddess Thanit, " Mother of the Rain." Most of the Mzabites are clearly Berbers, as shown in their small stature, well- knit frames, broad and even flat features, thick lips, high forehead, deep-sdt eyes,